It lived up to the hype.

Quarterback Jake Scholl rushed for three touchdowns and threw for a fourth, while head coach Luke Amstutz dialed up multiple trick plays in the fourth quarter as Class 4A No. 7 Northridge rallied to beat Class 5A No. 1 Warsaw 37-30 Friday night in Middlebury. The instant classic secured the Northern Lakes Conference championship for the Raiders in our Sports Michiana Game of the Week.

Northridge completed a remarkable turnaround in Amstutz’s first season at the helm, going from 3-8 a year ago to the second undefeated regular season in program history. The Raiders also captured just their second NLC title ever.

A highly entertaining first half, that included a 96 yard kickoff return for a touchdown by Warsaw’s Wyatt Harman, saw Warsaw take a 23-15 lead into the break. Northridge scored on the opening drive of the third quarter to tie the game at 23, but the Tigers answered immediately to regain a 30-23 advantage.

Early in the fourth quarter, Scholl connected with Tre Copeland for a touchdown. The Raiders’ two-point conversion attempt failed, leaving Warsaw in front 30-29.

After a big defensive stop, Northridge got the ball back and pulled out all the stops.

On one remarkable trick play, Scholl threw a lateral to wide receiver Karsyn Rumfelt, who threw it back to Scholl who then launched a 30-yard pass downfield to Kane Yeater for an incredible first down. Later in the drive, the Raiders faced fourth-and-13 at the Warsaw 21-yard line. Scholl connected with Hayden Gorball short of the first-down marker, but Gorball pitched the ball to Copeland on a hook-and-ladder play. Copeland raced down to the 1-yard line to move the chains.

The Raiders finished the drive with Scholl’s go-ahead touchdown, then converted the two-point attempt to take a 37-30 lead.

The hook and ladder was our Big C Lumber Big Play of the Game, while Gorball and Scholl earned Hawkins Water Tech Players of the Game honors.

Gorball sealed the victory with an interception in the final minutes, capping a memorable night for the Raiders.

Northridge will enjoy the championship victory, but the blind draw for sectionals offers little time to celebrate. The Raiders open the postseason next Friday at home against Mishawaka in Class 4A Sectional 18.

Warsaw, meanwhile, receives a first-round bye in Class 5A and won’t play again for two weeks.

Important viewing note:  All playoff broadcasts of the Sports Michiana Game of the Week are available exclusively on IHSAATV, in accordance with IHSAA guidelines. Visit sportsmichiana.com/watch and it will re-directly you to our broadcast page at IHSAATV. Our Game of the Week to open sectionals next Friday is Plymouth at NorthWood.